AIBU to pay from friends child's lunch?

[Jojo96]

My ds (6) and I were due to visit a local farm/play centre today with his friend from school and the friends mum.

She called this morning to apologise and said she was unwell so they wouldn't be able to make make it, she sounded really poorly so I offered to take her son and with us so she could rest.....she accepted.

When I picked him up she gave me £10 and told me it was from her son's money box to pay for his entry and lunch as she doesn't pay for "his fun stuff/days"

Once at the place i took the £10 from his little wallet and put £6 back in which meant he had paid his entry fee.....the boys had a great time and I ordered us all lunch....I felt really guilty making a 5 year old pay for his own lunch so I didn't take any more money from his wallet for it.

Played for another few hours then dropped him home and told his mum what he great day he had and how well behaved he was.

Have since received a message from her asking why he had so much money left over, replied saying I "treated" both boys to lunch so he only had to pay his entry. Haven't heard anything back from her.......now questioning was I wrong to buy his lunch?

You did a lovely thing. Like most of us here, I don't believe a child should pay for lunch from money box money.

Just glad that you and the boys had a good day.

Now I feel bad. I took DD to a local festival last week and her friend happened to call round to visit with her Dad about half an hour before we left. I said I'd take his DD if she wanted...and he said great thanks...and gave me 20 quid...entrance was 5 and it's expensive for rides....I had no choice but to use the 20 to pay for his DD. I did allow my DD the same amount...so they each had 15 pounds which they both chose to spend on rides...then I also spent and extra tenner on both so they could have candyfloss and a toy.

I delivered her home with no change. Was that bad?

Violetbam,
Don't be silly, it's totally different and you were very generous and kind to invite the friend last minute.
Of course her dad would give her spending money as he probably knew it was a festival with fair ground rides etc and wouldn't expect you to pay.

Op she was likely worried he hadn't had lunch as his lunch money came home. Your reply reassured her and then made her embarrassed.

Fwiw I think it is a good idea to teach children the value of money early. My parents never gave me pocket money. They funded activities on the fly. I didn't do masses and they couldn't afford a lot of frivolities (I had lots of other things just not many clothes or sweets or funfair or cinema trips). This unfortunately didn't teach me the value of money. Still now I struggle to budget but fortunately have inexpensive tastes in activities and earn quite well.

Ds will be having pocket money to pay for trips etc so he learns that if he eats out rather than takes a picnic he has less for the gift shop

I am surprised that some of you can get away with owing your DC money I owed my 7 year old DS £20 and 'I got the look' and frowny eye brows as he sternly reminded me (think interview with a bank manager). I re payed promptly with a bag
of Haribo in interest

I must admit, I felt like Saucy jack did with the little wallet comment and the follow up text, really?
It sounds like you want a certificate of acknowledgement for what I would imagine for most people is fairly ordinary behaviour.

I wouldn't have mentioned it but if we invite the children's friends along we pay as standard as an invite shouldn't cost the person anything.

You did a kind thing OP, I'm sure she intends to say thanks when she sees you :)